We’re taking you ~25 minutes from downtown Chattanooga and back in time to the 1950s for this unique stay. Enter: The Groovy Nomad motel.
Located in Trenton, GA, this site was once known as the Southland Motel before Melissa + Ryan Faircloth, two Dade County natives, renovated the abandoned property in 2022. Now, the motel features 10 rooms — each with its own vintage and funky theme.
Bonus: While the Faircloths fully gutted the interior to replace wiring, plumbing, windows + doors, the walls and milk glass light features outside are from the original motel.
Each room features a tiled walk-in shower, a microwave, a mini fridge, a flat-screen TV + a coffee maker for guests to enjoy during their stay — rates start at $165 per night. City Editor Haley personally would book a stay in these.
Elvis’ Jungle
I guess you could say I can’t help falling in love with the plant wall that comes to life in this room, paired with the wicker furniture. The room also has a vintage mid-century modern oil/rain lamp that I wish I could take home.
Pac-Man
Not only is this room decorated with a neon Pac-Man sign + the bathroom is tiled with larger-than-life characters from the game, but you can also play this beloved 1980s game right in your room on an arcade console.
The Cheetah
This room is something straight from a 1970s catalog with shag wallpaper, a disco ball hanging planter, and some of my favorite vinyls on the wall. To quote “Austin Powers” — “Groovy, baby!”
Bonus: Having a large event or reunion? You can book the entire site for $1,950 per night.
Once you book a stay, you might want to also check out:
- Cloudland Canyon State Park (each room comes with free passes)
- Lookout Mountain Parkway
- Thatcher’s Barbecue & Grille
- Hidden Treasures’ Booth Mall
- Wilderness Outdoor Movie Theater (screenings typically run from spring to early October)
